Illness/injury prevention
IWH has a long history of conducting research to provide practical guidance to employers, workers, OHS professionals and regulators about what works and what doesn’t in injury or illness prevention. This research targets the injury and illness prevention practices of workplaces, as well as the programs developed by governments, health and safety associations and others to support and motivate workplaces to adopt effective practices.
Featured
IWH Speaker Series
How new businesses get their start in workplace health and safety: implications for research and policy
Published: April 21, 2026
At Work article
IWH study reveals gaps in health and safety knowledge about new businesses
To best prevent injuries, OHS management in small businesses should start early in their lifecycle. But according to a new IWH study, few programs or policies are specifically aimed at helping new businesses start managing OHS.
Published: April 10, 2026
Sharing Best Evidence
Effectiveness of OHS management systems: summary of a systematic review
Occupational health and safety management systems (OHSMSs) have developed considerably over the last 20 years, yet little is known about their effectiveness. The systematic review aimed to provide the evidence on the the effectiveness of mandatory and voluntary OHSMSs and identify facilitators and barriers to their adoption and implementation.
Published: February 2005
Systematic Review
Systematic Review
Effectiveness of occupational health and safety management systems: a systematic review
Occupational health and safety management systems (OHSMSs) have developed considerably over the last 20 years, yet little is known about their effectiveness. This report summarizes the findings of a systematic review on the facilitators and barriers to the adoption and effectiveness of OHSMSs.
Published: January 2005
Systematic Review
Systematic Review
Effectiveness of participatory ergonomic interventions: a systematic review
The inappropriate design of workplaces and work processes contributes significantly to the development of common work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). By improving ergonomic aspects of work and workplaces, it should be possible to prevent or reduce these disorders and increase productivity. One practice advocated for improving workplace design and processes is participatory ergonomics. This report shares the findings of a systematic review on the effectiveness of workplace-based participatory ergonomic interventions in improving workers' health.
Published: January 2005
Tools and guides
Guide to evaluating the effectiveness of strategies for preventing work injuries
This comprehensive guide lays out the methods behind rigorous effectiveness evaluations of workplace safety interventions—from determining the appropriate design and deciding who should be in your study sample, to measuring outcomes and going beyond quantitative methods.
Published: January 2001
Project
Project
Role of workplace interventions to prevent upper extremity MSDs: a systematic review
Status: Completed 2008
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Project
Factors associated with occupational disease among young people: a systematic review
Status: Completed 2006
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Project
Effective workplace interventions to prevent upper extremity disorders: a systematic review update
Status: Completed 2016
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Project
Effectiveness of participatory ergonomics interventions: a systematic review
Status: Completed 2005
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Project
Occupational health and safety interventions with economic evaluations: a systematic review
Status: Completed 2007
Project
Project
Effectiveness of training and education for the protection of workers: a systematic review
Status: Completed 2010